Welding apparatus



y 6, 1943- w. A. WEIGHTMAN 2,323,361

- WELDING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1941 1 Shgets-Sheet 1;

Julyfi, 1943.

\!V. A. WEIGHTMAN WELDING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1941 v 7' Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY July 6, 1943. w. A. WEIGHTMAN WELDING APPARATUS Fild A ril 50, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 0s a i 'INVENTOR WtLLicmAX/Ve'Lql'ltrncin,

BY fi I ATTORNEY July 6, 1943. w. A. WEIGHTMAN WELDING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1941 'r Sheets-Shee t 5 moi instants-Sheet 6 INVENTORI WilltomAWeiqhtrnan 3 r ATTORNEY W. A. IWEIGHTMAN WELDING APPARATUS Filed April 30,1941

Jul 6, 1943.

w. A. WEIGHTMAN 2,323,361

WELDING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1941 7 Sh eets-Sheet 7 C 3 INVENTOR M W'LHiamAWeiQhtman. ,4. WW.

ATTORNEY July 6, 1943.

Patented July 6, 1943 WELDING APPARATUS William A. Weightman, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Edward 'G. Budd Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 30, 1941, Serial No. 391,056

20 Claims.

This invention relates to electric spot welding apparatus, more particularly to spot welding apparatus of the travelingeelectrode type for welding metal sheets of curvilinear contour.

One of the objects of the present invention is I to provide welding apparatus of new and improved construction for spot welding sheets of metal of curvilinear contour with great dispatch and economy of operation.

Another object is to provide improved spot welding apparatus of the traveling-electrode type in which the electrode is mounted on a carriage adapted to move along a curvilinear path of travel with new and improved means for propelling the carriage and for conducting electric current .to the welding electrode.

Another object is to provide a traveling welder I with an electrode-supporting carriage which is movable along a curved path of travel and adapted to automatically perform spot welding operations at regular intervals on a workpiece of ourvilinear contour, and with a second carriage movable along a straight-line path of travel and adapted to drive the electrode-supporting carriage along its curvilinear path of travel, which second carriage also supports a transformer for supplying current to the electrode.

Another object is to provide a traveling spot welder having a pair or carriages, one supporting an electrode device and the other supporting driving mechanism for propelling both carriages being removed to more clearly show the various parts of the welding apparatus;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 2 -2 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, portions of the housings for the driving mechanism being removed to show the driving mechanism in.greater.detail;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking downwardly upon'the carriage upon which the welding electrodes" are mounted;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken approximately on the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section taken approximately on the line 86 of Figure 4;

along different paths of travel with a new and improved means for conducting welding current from a transformer mounted on one carriage to the electrode device supported by theother carrlage.

A further object is toprovide a spot weldln a electrode device of improved construction which is adapted to travel relative to affixed workpiece and perform spot welding operations at regular intervals while the support therefor is traveling continuously in a predetermined path and in which the electrode lags behind the support durmg each spot welding operation and returns thereafter to normal position for performing the next spot welding operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the

\ present invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings and then claimed.

In the drawings which illustrate a suitable embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the spot welding apparatus, one of the side portions of the frame Figure 7 is anenlarged sectional view through one of the electrode devices showing the mechanism for operating the same;

Figure 8 is a section similar to Figure 7, showing the electrode device in operative position for welding the workpiece.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, the welding apparatus illustrated is especially adapted for electrically spot welding sheets of metal of curvilinear contour, although the improved electrode device associated therewith is suitable for welding sheets of metal in the flat. Y

The articles A selected for illustrations are corrugated strips of sheet metal of curvilinear contour having a sharp curvature at opposed regions, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, which are supported in arch-like arrangement on a correspondingly shaped stationary Jig J (to be later described in detail) with the adjacent portions to be welded together in overlapping engagement as indicated at 30 in Figure 2.

In the welding apparatus of the present invention, the work remains stationary and the welding electrodeor electrodes, as the case may be. move relative to the work and are soarranged as to start the weldingoperation at one end of the work and travel at a uniform rate in a curvilinear path of travel and spot weld the overlapping edges of the work A at regularlywspaced intervals.

In general, the welding apparatus embodies a frame F recessed at its bottom side to bridge the article A a shown in Figure 1, a lower carriage C-l supporting a pair of electrode devices E and being supported by the frame F'for movement in a curvilinear path corresponding to the contour of the article A, and an upper carriage C-2 supported on the frame F for movement in a horizontal straight-line path above the carriage C-I. The carriage C-2 supports the means, to be later described, for propelling both carriages and a transformer for supplying elec tric current to the electrodes.

The jig J The jig J as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8, selected for illustration, embodies a bed 28 comprised of suitable rigid framing which supports a plurality of rigid archedmembers '22 having their ends secured to the bed 20. The members 22 are arched in shape to conform to the contour of the sheets of metal A and are secured together by bolts 24 to provide spaced recesses 26, as shown in Figure 2, extending from one end thereof to the other.

Supported within the recesses 26 are suitable electrode elements 28 having the exact curvilinear contour of the sheets A. Each electrode element 28 extends from end to end of its recess 26. Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that each electrode element 28 supports the'overlapping edges 88 of adjacent sheets A and that the intermediate portion of each sheet A is supported on plates 82 secured to the elements 22, each plate 82 being spaced slightly as shown at 84 in Figure 2 from the adjoining electrode element 28.

The electrode elements 28 are grouped in pairs, the elements of each pair being insulated from the members 22, as at 86, and electrically connected by a conductor bar 38.

The plate elements 82 are provided at spaced intervals withiprotuberances 48 conforming in cross-section to the shape of the corrugation of,

ure 1, which tend to pull the arch-like sheets A' into firm engagement with the electrode elements 28 and plates 82.

The [name F The frame F as shown in Figures 1, 2 and i embodies spaced upright members 46 inter connected at their ends as shown in Figure]. by cross members 48. The members 46 are recessed upwardly from their lower sides to pro vide an arch 68. Each leg of the arch is provided with spaced wheels 62 disposed to ride upon tracks or rails 64 arranged at the sides of the .ii'g J. The frame F is movable along the rails 64 parallel to the jig J and the work A and may be provided with a propelling mechanism comprising racks 56 secured to the rails 54, andpinions 88 meshed with the racks 56. The pinions 68 may be rotated through shafts 68 and suitable gearing 62 by means of hand wheels 64 located at the ends of the frame as shown in Figure l.

The upright members 46 are provided with channel-shaped guide tracks 66, the channels of which face each other as shown in Figure 2.

Racks 68 are disposed adjacent the tracks 66,

the tracks 68 and racks 68 corresponding in curvilinear contour with the work sheets A. It

is to be noted that these tracks and racks are formed with substantially parallel end portions interconnected by curvilinear intermediate portions, the degree of curvature being relatively sharp adjacent the end portions.

The side portions 46 arealso provided with which provide upper tracks 12 and parallel upper racks I4 extending lengthwise, as shown in Figure 1, of the side portions 46 above the lower tracks 66 and racks 68,

The lower carriage C'-1 The lower carriage is best illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8. It embodies a frame or support 16 having a shaft 18 at one end, to the ends of which pinions 88 and guide rolls 82 are secured. The guide rolls 82 fit closely within the channel tracks 66 and the pinions 88 mesh with the racks 68 as shown in Figure 2. The opposite end of the support "I6 is provided with axially aligned stub shafts 78 having rolls 88 thereon which engage with and ride in the channel tracks 66. Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that the support 16 includes a fixed housing 84 surrounding a worm gear 86 secured to the shaft '18 and supporting a worm 88 in mesh with the gear 86. The pinion 88 is held against axial movement and the axis thereof is disposed in a vertical plane. A suitable shaft 88 is secured to the pinion 88 coaxial therewith and extends forwardly therefrom for connection with the upper carriage 0-2 in a manner to be presently described.

Suitably secured to the support 16 are bracket supports 82 having guideways 84 disposed perpendicular to a plane passing through the axes of the shaft I8 and stub shafts I8. Engaged with each way 84 of each bracket support 82 0 through gibs 95 for sliding movement therein is a bracket 86. Each bracket 86 is reciprocated within its way 84 by means of a linkage mechanism shown in Figures 7 and 8, which comprises a bell-crank lever 88 pivoted by means of a pivot pin I88 to the bracket support 82 and a link I82 pivoted at one end at I84 to one arm of the bell-crank lever 88 and at its other end to a pin I06 carried by the bracket 86. An air cyiinder I88 is pivoted to the support 82 by means of a pivot pin H8, The cylinder is provided with a piston II2 having a shaft II4 which is pivoted by means of a pin Hi to the other arm of the bell-crank lever as shown in Figure 7. Air conduits H6 and II8 are provided at the opposite ends of the cylinder I88 for the flow of air into and out of the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston I I2.

The retracted position of the bracket 86 is shown in Figure 7 and the extended position is of the pin I84 coincides with a line passing through the axes of the pins I08 and I86, as shown by the broken line I81 in Figure 8. As a result of this, pivotal movement of the bell-crank lever cannot be effected by forces exerted on the bracket *86 which ordinarily would tend to move the bracket to its retracted position. Itis obvious that the bracket 98 can be retracted only by the admission of air into the cylinder I88 through the air conduit connection ill to move the piston II2 to the left, as viewed in Figure 8.

Two electrode devices E are provided, as seen in Figure 2. Each electrode device embodies a support I22 pivoted by means of a pin I24 extending between the sides of the bracket 86 as shown in Figures 4 and 8. The support I22 is provided with a tubular extension I26 which is surrounded by a circumferentially spaced tube I28. A suitable piston I38 is secured to the outermost ends of the extension I26 and the tube I28.

The piston I38 is housed within a cylinder I82,-

one end of which forms the support for an electrode I34 which is insulated, as shown at I88, from the end of the cylinder I82, as shown in Figure 8.

The tubular passage I38 of the extension I28 opens at one end into the space between the end of the cylinder I32 and the piston I38 and communicates at the other end with a passage I48 formed in the support I22, which, in turn, communicates with a suitable air conduit I42. The annular space I44 between the extension I26 and the tube I28 communicates at one end through an aperture I46 with the space between the piston I38 and the other end of the cylinder I32, and communicates at its opposite end through an aperture I48 with a passage I68 in the support I22, which, in turn, communicates with an air conduit I52.. By admitting air under pressure through conduit I42, for example, such air will cause the cylinder I32 to move axially of the piston I38 toward the work A, as shown in Figure 8, and by introducing air under pressure through conduit I52 such pressure upon release of the air in conduit I42 will cause the cylinder I32 to axially retract to the position shown in Figure 7.

Each of the cylinders I32 is resiliently maintained in a normal position by means of a rod member 2I2 pivoted thereto by means of a pivot pin 2I4, the rod member 2I2 being slidable within a stub shaft 2I6. Coiled compression springs 2I8 are provided at opposite sides of the stub shaft 2I6 and surround the member 2I2, suitable abutments 228 being provided for the ends of the springs 2I8. The springs 2I8 obviously by reason of theslidable mounting of the rod member 2I2 tend to resiliently maintain the cylinder I32 in a normal position and will return the cylinder to the normal position from a pivoted position.

The upper carriage C2 The upper carriage C2 as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and embodies a platform I54 having guide rollers I56 at opposite ends thereof engaged sets of bevel gears I64 drives a vertical shaft I66. The shaft I66 is provided with a worm pinion I68 which drives a worm gear I18 mounted on a horizontal shaft I12. The shaft I12 carries pinions I14 which mesh with the racks 14 whereby to propel the carriage C2 along the frame portions 46.

A power take-off shaft I18 is provided at another point of the gear train I62, which shaft is journalled in a bearing I18 mounted at oneside of the carriage platform I54. The bearing I18 is axially aligned with a cylindrical member'l88 mounted at the opposite side of the carriage platform I54. The bearing I18 and the member I88 pivotally support a housing I82 as shown in Figure 3. The housing I82 is provided with axially aligned bearings I88 which support a tubular shaft I84. The shaft I84 is provided with a bevel gear I86 fixed thereto which meshes with a bevel pinion I88 secured to the take-off shaft I18 so that upon operation of the gear train I62 the pinion I88 is caused to rotate the gear I 88 and the shaft I84. The passage through the tubular shaft I84 is square and slidably receives the upwardly extending shaft 88 of the lower carriage C--I, which latter shaft is correspondingly shaped in cross-section so that it, in turn, is rotated by the shaft I84 to rotate the worm pinion 88 and thereby propel the lower carriage CI.

The platform I54 also supports a transformer I88 connected in a suitable manner (not shown) with a source of electrical energy. One pole of the secondary of the transformer is connected through a conductor I82 to one end of a bus bar I84 pivoted to a link I86 by means of a pivot .pin I88, which link is, in turn, pivoted at I88 to bus bars together in good electrical contact. The

other end of the bus bar 282 is pivoted by means of a pin 286 to the carriage C--2 as shown in Figure 4, a coiled compression spring 288 being employed to insure a firm yet resilient electrical contact; A flexible conductor 2I8 connects the,

carriage frame with the electrode I34.

Each electrode I34 is connected in this manner with the secondary of the transformer so that the current flow is from one pole of the transformer through the pivoted bus bars I84 and 282, through the metal A to be welded and the one electrode element 28, to the conductor bar 38 and back to the other pole of the secondary of the transformer in the reverse order. e

If only one electrode is employed, then, of course, the conductor bar 38 is omitted and the one electrode element 28 is connected with the last-mentioned pole of the transformer secondary.

Suitable means are provided for controlling the supply of air under pressure to the cylinders I88 and I32 and also for timing the flow of current to the transformer I98. The cylinder air supply and the current supply are timed with respect to each other in order that each welding operation is performed at timed intervals properly correlated with the supply of air to the electrodeactuating cylinders. In Figure 3 the numerals 222 and 224 indicate air control and current control timers respectively, which are actuated by cam elements 226 driven through suitable gearing 228 from the power take-off shaft I63.

The connections between the air'supply conduits H6, H8, I42 and I52 andthe air control timer 222 have not been shown, but it is to be understood that the timer 222 may be of any suitable construction and may be connected in a suitable manner with such conduits. Likewise,

the electrical connections between the transformer and current timer have not been shown. Suitable limit switches 238 may be provided on the upper carriage C2 for cutting of! the supply of current when the carriage C2 reaches the' end of its travel in either direction.

Operation position of the carriage C-I the carriage (7-4 is likewise located at the right end of the frame and it can be seen that the carriage CI is at its maximum distance from the carriage C-2. In which position the drivingconnection through the shafts 80 and I84 is extended and the bus bars I94 and 202 are pivoted to an extended position. The brackets 98 which support the welding electrodes originally are retracted and in the position shown in Figure 7. Before the welding operation is started, air under pressure is admitted through the conduits II6 into the cylinders I" which causes the pistons I I2 to move to the right. as viewed in Figure 7, to actuate the bellcrank levers 98 and links I02, which moves the brackets 96 to the extended position shown in Figure 8. Thisbrings the electrodes I34 in close proximity to the sheets A. The apparatus thus Is in position for performing the welding operation. The carriage C--I during the welding operation moves from the position shown in broken outline at the right of Figure 1 to the position shown in broken outline at the left in Figure 1. The carriage 0-2 likewise moves from the right end of the frame to the left end of the frame. The spot welding of the two overlapping sheets A occurs at regular intervals throughout the travel of the lower carriage and is brought about by the timer devices 222 and 224. The carriage C-I moves continuously at a uniform rate of speed and drives the carriage C2 at a uniform speed. At each interval corresponding to the desired spacing of the spot welds air is admitted under pressure, under the control of the timer 222, through the conduits I42, which air flows through the passages I 40 and the tubular extensions I62 into the spaces between the pistons I30 and the closed end of the cylinders 132 to move the cylinders axially away from the pistons to create the desired pressure on the overlapping sheets A between the electrode elements 28 and the electrodes I34, the flow of current being timed to perform the welding operation upon the creation of the pressure upon the overlapping sheets A in the manner just described. The carriage C-I, of course, is traveling continuously from the right viewed in Figure 8, and due to the pressure engagement of the electrodes I34 with the sheets A, the electrodes I34, the cylinders I32 and the supports I22 pivot the pivot pins I24 as unitary structures about with the result that the electrode devices lag behind the movement of the carriage C-I and thus compress the springs 2I8. This lag is substantially momentary and only sufllcient to permit the proper spot welding operatlon. At the properly timed interval the flow of air through conduits I42 is released andfiow is produced through the conduits I52, which air under pressure acts between the pistons I30 and the packing end of the cylinders I32 to retract the pistons and electrodes I34, at which time springs 2" return the cylinders I32 from their pivoted positions to their normal positions ready for the next cycle of operation. This cycle of operation is repeated throughout the entire travel of the carriage C-I from one end to the other of the work being welded.

When the welding operation along the two seems is completed the air under pressure flowing through the conduits H6 is released and air under pressure is admitted through the conduits II8 which restores the pistons II2 to a position at the left of the cylinders, as viewed in Figure 8. and retracts the brackets 86 to move the electrod devices back to the position indicated in Figure 7. This movement is sufficient for the electrodes I34 to clear the corrugations Of the work being welded.

The operator, if additional seams are to be welded, then rotates one of the hand wheels 84 which through the shafts 60. the gears 82 and the pinion 58 and rack 58 moves the entire welding apparatus longitudinally of the work to position the welding electrodes above another pair of seams. The piston I I2 is again caused to move to the position shown in Figure 8 to condition the apparatus for the spot welding of the second pair of seams and during this welding operation the carriage move from the left to the right end of the frame F.

It is seen from the foregoing description that novel means is provided for actuating an electrode-supporting carriage for welding sheet metal articles of curvilinear contour, especially articles of relatively sharp curvature. The welding operation is automatic, and by providing the continuous moving carriage the welding operation is performed rapidly and uniformly. Another important feature of the present invention is that the means for driving the electrode-supporting carriage is efficient in its operation and eliminates the use of trailing cables and conduits adJacent the welding electrode. The particular construction described also further permits the welding transformer to be carried by the mechanism which operates the electrode-supporting carriage.

The electrode device itself, that is, the entire carriage C-I, is also use in welding flat sheets of metal as the welding of sheets of curvilinear contour.

While two electrodes have been shown connected in series, it is to be understood that only one electrode may be employed.

, The machine is reversible in its operation and is movable longitudinally of the article to be welded so that rows of spot welds may be provided which is advantageous particularly in sheets of large size in that it is not necessary to move the sheets. The machine is also advantageous where welded sheets are being produced in quantity production as no time is lost by the need of returning the welded electrodes to an initial starting position.

Though only a single form of the invention is illustrated and described the invention is not limited thereto but may be embodied in various forms as desired. As various changes in construction and arrangement of parts may be made without separating from the spirit of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

Certain inventive features hereinbefore disclosed and described are the subject matter of applicant's divisional application Serial No.

427,560, Welding apparatus, filed January 21,

What is claimed is:

1. A traveling welder comprising a supporting frame, first and second movable carriages, each supported on said frame for movement in a predetermined path of travel, driving means carried carriage whereby actuation of said driving means moves said carriages along their predetermined paths of travel said driving connection between equally as adaptable for the driving means and second carriage being adiustable whereby the distance between carriages is capable of variation to accommodate for different positions of the carriages along the tracks.

2. A traveling welder comprising a supporting frame, first and second movable carriages, means for supporting and guiding said first carriage on said frame for movement in a straight-line path of travel, means for supporting and guiding said second carriage on said frame for movement in a curvilinear path of travel, driving means carried by said first carriage, a welding electrode carried by said second carriage, a driving connection between said driving means and first carriage for propelling said first carriage along its path of travel, and an extensible driving connection be- .tween said driving means and said second carriage for propelling said second carriage along its curvilinear path of travel, simultaneously with the travel of said first carriage.

3. A traveling welder comprising a supporting frame, first and second movable carriages, means for supporting and guiding said first carriage on said frame for movement in a straight-line path of travel, means for supporting and guiding said second carriage on said frame for movement in a curvilinear path of travel, a welding electrode carried by said second carriage, a common propelling means for said carriages for propelling the same along their respective paths of travel, said propelling means being carried by said first carriage for movement therewith, a driving connection between said propelling means and first carriage, and a second driving connection between said propelling means and second carriage,

said second driving connection being extensible to permit travel of said second carriage ,in its curvilinear path of travel during movement of said first carriage in its straight-linen path of travel.

4. A traveling electric welder comprising a frame, a first carriage, means for supporting and guiding said carriage on said frame along a straight-line path of travel, a driving motor carried by said carriage and having a driving con-' nection therewith for propelling it alom its path of travel, an electric transformer carried by said carriage, a second carriage, a welding electrode carried by said second carriage, means for supporting and guiding said second carriage on said frame for movement in a curvilinear path of travel, an extensible driving connection between said driving motor and second carriage for propelling said second carriage along its path of travel, and an extensible electrical conductor between said transformer and electrode.

5. A traveling electric welder. comprising a frame, a first carriage, means for supporting and guiding said carriage on said frame along a straight-line path of travel, a driving motor carried by said carriage. and having a drivingconnection therewith for propelling it along its path of travel, an electric transformer carried by said carriage, a second carriage, a welding electrode carried by said second carriage, means for supporting and guiding said second carriage on i said frame for movement in {a curvilinear path of travel, an extensible driving connection between said driving motor and second carriage for propelling said second carriage along its path of travel, and an extensible electrical conductor between said transformer and electrode, said electrical conductor comprising a pair of bus.

bars pivotaily connected together, one of said electrically connected with said transformer, and the other of said bus bars being pivoted to said secondcarriage and electrically connected to said electrode.

6. In a traveling electric welder, a supporting I frame recessed at its bottom side between its ends to bridge a workpiece of arch-like contour to be welded, a guide track on said frame conforming in curvature to the workpiecena carriage mounted for movement along said track, an electrode carried by said carriage, a second track on said frame disposed above said first track, a second carriage mounted for movement along said second track, a driving motor carried by said second carriage, means on said second carriage connected with said driving motor for propelling said second carriage along its track, and driving means on said first carriage having an extensible connection with said driving motor for propelling said first carriage along its track.

7. In a traveling electric welder, a supporting frame recessed at its bottom side between its ends to bridge a workpiece of arch-like contour to be welded, a guide track on said frame conforming s necting said transformer and electrode, and

means carried by said second carriage for simultaneously propelling said first and second carriages along their respective tracks.

8. In a traveling electric welder, a. supporting frame recessed at its bottom side between its ends to bridge a workpiece of arch-like contour to be welded, a guide track on said frame conforming in curvature to the workpiece, a carriage mounted for movement along said track, an electrode car- I ried by said carriage, a second track on said frame disposed above-said first track, a second carriage mounted for movement along said sec and track, a transformer carried by said second carriage, a pair of bus bars pivotally connected at adjacent ends, one of said bus bars being pivoted to said first carriage and electrically connected with said electrode, and the other of said bus bars being pivoted to said second carriage and electrically connected with said transformer, and

' means carried by said second'carriage for simultaneously propelling said first and second car-.

.riages along their respective tracks.-

9. In a welding device of the character de scribed having first and second carriages movable' along different predetermined paths of travel, the first above the second, a welding electrode carried by said second carriage common drive means for said carriages, said drive means being mounted on said first carriage for movement therewith, means associated with said first carriage and drive means for propelling the first carriage along its path of travel, and means associated withsaid second carriage and driving means for propelling the second carriage along its path of travel, said last-named means being I extensibly connected with said drive means.

busbars being pivoted to said first carriage and 7t 10. In a welding device of the character described havi'nga frame provided with non-parallel 'upper and lower carriage guiding tracks, an upper carriage mounted for movement on said upper track, an electrode-supporting carriage mounted for movement on said lower track, a rack for said upper carriage, an upper pinion rotatably supported by said upper carriage in meshed engagement with said rack, a lower rack for said lower carriage, a lower pinion rotatably carried by said lower carriage in meshed engagement with said lower rack, a gear train carried by said upper carriage, an electric motor mounted on said upper carriage for driving said gear train, a driving connection between said gear train and upper pinion, and extensible driving means between said gear train and lower pinion.

11. In a welding device of the character described having a frame provided with non-parallel upper and lower carriage guiding tracks, an upper carriage mounted for movement on said upper track, an electrode-supporting carriage mounted for movement on said lower track, a rack for said upper carriage, an upper pinion rotatably supported by said upper carriage in meshed engagement with said rack, a lower rack for said lower carriage, a lower pinion rotatably carried by said lower carriage in meshed engagement with said lower rack, a gear train carried by said upper carriage, an electric motor mounted on said upper carriage for driving said gear train, a driving connection between said gear train and upper pinion, and a pair of telescoped shaft members united for dependent rotation and sliding movement relative to each other, one of said shaft members being rotatably supported on said lower carriage in driving connection with said lower pinion and the other of said shaft members being pivotally mounted on said upper carriage in driven connection with said gear train and upper pinion.

12. In a traveling electric welder having a frame and upper and lower carriages movable longitudinally of the frame in predetermined rlage driven by said motor, means associated with said upper carriage and having a driven connection with said speed-reducing means for propelling said upper carriage along its path of travel, and means associated with said lower carriage and having an extensible driven connection with said speed-reducing means for propelling said lower carriage along its path of travel.

15. In a traveling electric welder having a frame and upper and lower carriages movable longitudinally of the frame in predetermined paths of travel, the upper carriage in a straightline path and the lower in a curvilinear path in which said lower carriage is adapted to move vertically with respect to said upper carriage, a welding electrode carried by said lower carriage, a driving motor carried by said upper carriage, speed-reducing means carried by said upper carriage driven by said motor,

, means associated with said upper carriage and paths of travel, the upper carriage in a straightline path and the lower in a curvilinear path in which said lower carriage is adapted to move vertically with respect to said upper carriage. an electric current transformer carried by said upper carriage, a welding electrode carried by said lower carriage, and an electrical conductor connecting said transformer and electrode, said conductor being extensible to permit relative vertical movement of said carriages away from each other.

13. In a traveling electric welder having a frame and upper and lower carriages movable longitudinally of the frame in predetermined paths of travel, the upper carriage in a straightline path and the lower in a curvilinear path in which said lower carriage is adapted to move vertically with respect to said upper carriage, an electric current transformer carried by said upper carriage, a welding electrode carried by said lower carriage, and an electrical conductor connecting said transformer and electrode, said conductor comprising a pair of rigid bus bars pivoted together, one of which is pivoted to said up per carriage and electrically connected to said transformer and the lower of which is pivoted to said. lower carriage and electrically connected to said electrode.

14. In a traveling electric welder having a frame and upper and lower carriages movable longitudinally of the frame in predetermined paths of travel, the uppercarriage in a straightiine path and the lower in a curvilinear path in which said lower carriage is adapted to move vertically with respect to said upper carriage, a welding electrode carried by said lower carriage, a driving motor carried by said upper carriage, speed-reducing means carried by said upper carhaving a driven connectionwith said speed-reducing means for propelling said upper carriage along its path of travel, and means associated with said lower carriage and having a driven connection with said speed-reducing means for propelling said lower carriage along its path of travel, said last-mentioned means comprising propelling means for said lower carriage, a rotatable shaft carried by said lower carriage in axially fixed relation with respect thereto for driving said propelling means, a second shaft having an axially slidable driving connection with said first shaft, the axes of said shafts being in a vertical plane, a housing for said second shaft pivoted about a horizontal axis to ,said upper carriage, and a driving connection between said speed-reducing means and said second shaft.

16. In a traveling welder having a supporting frame, a movable first carriage, a reciprocable welding electrode carried by said carriage, a track for guiding said carriage, said track having spaced substantially parallel end portions and an interconnecting curvilinear portion, said carriage being movable from one end of said track to the other, means for supporting a workpiece of a contour the same as said track and in uniformly spaced relation with respect thereto, a second straight section track adjacent said first track disposed in parallel relation with respect to a line passing through the ends of said curvilinear portion, a movable second carriage mounted on said second track, an electric current transformer supported by said second carriage and having an electrical connection with said electrode, a carriage-driving motor supported by-said second carriage, means connected with said motor for driving said second carriage, and means extending between said carriages and connected with said motor for driving said first carriage.

17. A traveling welder comprising a supporting frame, first and second movable carriages, each supported on said frame for movement in a normally divergent path of travel, driving means carried by said first carriage, a welding electrode carried by said second carriage, and driving connections between said driving means and said first carriage and between said driving means and second carriage whereby actuation of said driving means moves said carriages along their predetermined paths of travel, said driving connection between the driving means and second carriage being adjustable whereby the distance between carriages isv capable of variation to accommodate for different positions of the carriages along the tracks.

18. In a welding device of the character described,.a frame, first and second carriages, normally divergent tracks mounted on said frame for supporting each of said carriages, an electrode supported by'said second carriage, comsaid frame for movement along separate predetermined paths of travel, a welding electrode carrled by one of said carriages, current supply means carried by the other of said carriages and connected with said electrode, and means for driving said carriages along said predetermined paths of travel.

-, 20. In a welding apparatus a frame, first and second movable carriages separately carried on said frame for movement along separate predetermined paths of travel, a welding electrode carried by one of said carriages, currentlsupply means carried by the other of said carriages and connected with said electrode, and common means for driving said carriages along said predetermined paths of travel.

WILLIAM A. WEIGHTMAN. 

